Common Core foes plan meeting

The statewide group Stop Common Core in Louisiana, which opposes the Common Core State Standards, will host a public forum Feb. 20 in Baton Rouge.

The forum is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Crossfire Auditorium.

A news release from the group said that “Stop Common Core in Louisiana is a coalition of concerned parents working together to bring awareness to this federal overreach called the Common Core Standards Initiative.” The group said it’s committed to working for educational freedom and keeping education local.

Kathryn Goppelt, a spokesperson for the group, said the forum will feature six panelists who play a large role in critical discussions of the CCSS.

“Our panelists notably include Dr. James Milgram who was a member of the initial Common Core workgroup, which devised the standards,” Goppelt said. “Also attending is Dr. Sandra Slotsky who was a member of the Common Core Validation Committee.”

The other panelists will be James Stergios of the Pioneer Institute, Jane Robbins of the American Principles Project, Emmett McGroarty of the American Principles Project and Hillsdale College’s Terrence Moore.

Goppelt said the forum’s purpose is to give information and educate parents about the standards and answer any questions they may have.

Goppelt said topics to be addressed during the forum include who actually wrote the CCSS, funding for development, who is supporting and marketing the standards, rigor, cost to states and more.

Goppelt said the forum is for parents and anyone who has concerns about the new standards.

“Many parents are seeing things in their children’s homework and don’t understand where it’s coming from,” she said. “So these people on the panel are going to be able to give them answers. They are educators and will be able to give parents a first-hand education specifically about Common Core, why it’s not working and about education in general.”

Goppelt said many of the topics discussed at the forum will play a major role in upcoming legislation.

“We are expecting a full house because we have a statewide network,” Gopplet said. “We want to hear from everyone with concerns, even those who are pro-Common Core. We’d like to hear what all the experts are saying.”

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 online at www.louisianacore.com or $20 at the door.

For more information, contact Goppelt at 225-241-9485 or email commoncoreforumla@gmail.com.